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My first attempt at cutting on a frame. I am happy with how it came out although I will advise to buy the jig for the hole! Fortunately the grips cover the pin. Painted some plain thinline Alumagrips with the same Duracoat I touched it up with on the grip. With the bob and thin grips it is a lot more concealable. The Ed Brown MSH even matches the silver shade from Kimber.
Took about 3 hours + paint time. Lots of hand sanding and filing as I was scared to dremel anything.

Very Nice work!

Wanna do mine?

I am a looong way from being a gunsmith. I do have an excellent smith though and he has shown me a lot of things. I cant seem to learn patience though.....

That my friend, looks VERY nice. I would like to do that myself.

rm9792 wrote:I am a looong way from being a gunsmith. I do have an excellent smith though and he has shown me a lot of things. I cant seem to learn patience though.....

Never pray to learn patience, God will make you wait for it.

WOW! Amazing!

Dude, that is very nice.

So how about sharing some detailed info about how and tools used :)

Sure wish you could do my Kimber, but if i can learn that i would do it myself in a heartbeat.

Very nice!

dihappy wrote:WOW! Amazing!
Dude, that is very nice.
So how about sharing some detailed info about how and tools used :)
Sure wish you could do my Kimber, but if i can learn that i would do it myself in a heartbeat.

1. I detail stripped down to the bare frame.
2. I placed the MSH in and used an exacto to scratch a trace around on the inside edges where the MSH sat in the frame to know how far to rough grind down.
3. I used a grinding wheel in a drill press (for better control) to almost grind away to the scratch mark (about 1/32" away). Make sure to tape up the frame to keep from scratching it.
4. I used a dremel (I know, a bad word to pro's) to get close to the final shape and roundness. Then used small files to get final shape.
5. 800 and 1000 grit sandpaper by hand to remove tool marks and get a smoother curve on the frame. Lots of taking the MSH in and out to check so i didnt remove too much metal.
6. The fun part, drilling the hole. I used a electronic caliper to make several measurements then found a bit the same diameter as the existing hole. Once it was marked I said a prayer then drilled her out. Of course the hole was about 1/64" too close to the edge so I had to enlarge 1 side slightly but it turned out ok. There is some play in the MSH track in the frame so I could shift a little to get the pin in.
7. I used some black Duracoat from my Desert Camo project to touch up where I worked. I misted it on lightly and it blended pretty well.

Well worth the trouble as my shirt doesnt stick out at all at the grip now. I ordered the Jig from Brownells today as I want to do antoher one and the hole is too hard to eyeball in right.

Where are you located?

I seriously wouldn't mind letting you give it a go on my Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II which is similar to the CDP and no need for paint (just fine polishing I guess). It already has the Alumagrips on it.

AEA wrote:Where are you located?

I seriously wouldn't mind letting you give it a go on my Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II which is similar to the CDP and no need for paint (just fine polishing I guess). It already has the Alumagrips on it.

PM sent

PM replied!

Getting mine bobbed! Whoo Hoo!

AEA wrote:Where are you located?

I seriously wouldn't mind letting you give it a go on my Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II which is similar to the CDP and no need for paint (just fine polishing I guess). It already has the Alumagrips on it.

is that my old baby?

glad to see its still beautiful :)

Yep and it's getting bobbed!

Probably qualifies as stupid question of the day/week/year, but what is meant by "bobtailed"? From the text I suspect a change in grip but can not see any.

The back side of the grip that goes in your palm. Below the grip safety and in the area of the Mainspring Housing is straight on a stock gun (except for a very expensive Kobra Carry). See below:



By cutting the frame and grips and doing some very intensive file work. This Master has been able to turn it into a Kobra Carry Clone. It also requires fitting of the new angled Mainspring housing. See the different angle of the bobbed Mainspring Housing area below:



This makes the grip of the gun print less when you bend over and also makes it feel better in your hand.